NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler gives Minnesota Vikings fascinating haul for Brian Flores in final mock draft

Yahoo Sports23h ago2 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

Dane Brugler's final mock draft suggests the Minnesota Vikings should prioritize cornerback in the upcoming NFL Draft, addressing their needs in the secondary. With uncertainty around Harrison Smith's return, Brugler includes intriguing players in his seven-round predictions.

When looking at NFL mock drafts for the Minnesota Vikings, there are a lot of different paths to go down.

One of the most popular strategies for the Vikings is targeting the secondary. They have heavy needs at both cornerback and safety. Harrison Smith is still uncertain to return to the team, and they only had three cornerbacks on the roster. Even so, they found a way to have the No. 2-ranked passing defense.

Should they prioritize the cornerback position in the NFL Draft? Dane Brugler believes they should.

Dane Brugler sends Vikings fascinating haul in latest NFL mock draft

In his final seven-round mock draft, Brugler has the Vikings taking some really interesting players, including a cornerback in the first round.

1. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
1. Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
1. A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
1. Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
1. Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati
1. Mason Reiger, EDGE, Wisconsin
1. J.C. Davis, OT, Illinois
1. Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky
1. Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama

It’s an interesting haul for multiple reasons. McCoy is arguably the best cornerback in this class, but his knee injury has many concerned about his future. If the knee checks out medically, he’s a really good prospect short and long-term. Taking a cornerback in round one is a fascinating idea, especially since Brian Flores’ defense doesn’t require elite-level cornerback play.

After that, the Vikings address multiple needs. Hunter is a good nose tackle with a little bit of mass rush juice. Adding him to a defensive line that is starving for talent is a good idea. Haulcy and Hecht provide starting-level ability at positions of need.

After that, it’s filled with intriguing players with plus potential. Caldwell is a height/weight/speed receiver who has just one season of Division I play. Of the other four, Reiger is the most interesting. He thrived at the Shrine Bowl, showcasing plus ability to rush the passer.

This would be an interesting group of picks for the Vikings, but is it likely to lead off at cornerback? I don’t think so.

Q&A

What positions should the Minnesota Vikings focus on in the NFL Draft according to Dane Brugler?

Dane Brugler suggests the Vikings should focus on the cornerback position in the NFL Draft due to their needs in the secondary.

Who is Dane Brugler and what is his role in NFL mock drafts?

Dane Brugler is an NFL Draft analyst known for providing insights and predictions on player selections in mock drafts.

What impact does Harrison Smith's uncertainty have on the Vikings' draft strategy?

Harrison Smith's uncertain return increases the urgency for the Vikings to strengthen their secondary, particularly at cornerback, in the upcoming draft.